334 VISIT FROM THE SCHOOLMASTEIU 



with a white shirt and handkerchief. His servant 

 who sat behind him, attempted to protect him from 

 a heavy shower by holding over his head, with very 

 great care, an old Chinese umbrella that leaked 

 like a sieve. 



The old man, on coming on board, introduced 

 himself as the schoolmaster of the village, and gave 

 us a pressing invitation to land and inspect the 

 church, of which he seemed to be very proud. A 

 younger man, who accompanied him, he introduced 

 as the Orangkaya of the village. As the rain still 

 continued, I invited them into the cabin, where they 

 were much delighted at all they saw ; — and, during 

 the conference, they expressed much surprise at 

 being told that all Englishmen were Christians. 

 The chief of Wakan, an island which forms the 

 other side of the entrance to Dobbo harbour, also 

 favoured us with a visit. He came to request us 

 to assist him in waging war against the chief of a 

 neigfhbourinff island, and did not at all understand 

 our refusing bis petition. 



As soon as the rain cleared off, our visitors 

 landed, and Mr. Earl and myself soon followed them 

 to their village, where they were all drawn up to 

 receive us, and saluted us with one musket. We 

 were conducted to the village in state, and immedi- 

 ately taken to see the church, which had been a 

 nice building, capable of holding all the inhabitants 

 of the place ; but it had latterly been allowed to get 

 very much out of repair. In the font they had 



